Friends of the OBH Community Cultural Centre 

Newsletter August 2025

At the meeting held on August 22, the Friends Committee voted to look to the future and revamp the date, name and nature of its former Raise the Roof Family Fair.  The roof has been raised and the OBH, the heart of the Bega Regional Community Cultural precinct, is open for business.

The new name for Friends annual fair is to be the OBH SPRING INTO SUMMER FAMILY FAIR and the date has been changed to the FIRST SUNDAY in NOVEMBER, which, in 2025 is NOVEMBER 2 from 10am to 3pm.

Friends request members help to publicise this change. ‘Raise the Roof’ achieved its aim and is now part of the 137 year history of the OBH.

Spring into Summer implies renewal and growth as well as a promise of joy and expectation of good times ahead.

Some activities in the pipeline for the OBH Spring into Summer Family Fair are:- Tenant workshops and demonstrations; ‘Fall for Pickle Ball’- all ages come and try; Floral Art workshop and competition; All things cakes – your Cake with a Story and the Best Cake of the OBH Fair; a Recycled Gear Fashion Parade; a walk through OBH’s Landscaping Plan and chance to purchase a memory tree and plaque; Community Car Boot Sale; ‘Back to Grandma’s Day races for Kids’; and music, food, market stalls and living history and meet your community chats and all the fun of the Fair. More details to come.

We will need help and even though early days yet, if you know you will be available on November 2 could you email Val Little vlittle661@gmail.com.  A lot of people putting a hand up to do Just One Thing will spread the load - and a fun time is guaranteed.

Landscaping Working Bee Sat 30 August

The next landscaping working bee will be held on Saturday August 30, from 9.30am to around 10.30am. Our landscaping volunteers will be topping up the mulch around the conifer grove as well as finishing off the Rice Straw spreading on the northern boundary. New volunteers are always welcome to learn soil preparation, weed control and planting skills which they can apply to their own gardens. And when the work is done, to the satisfaction of overseer Judy, then the eating and swapping of ideas can begin. The precinct belongs to all of us - it is ours to use and to look after. So your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. And Eric has made us all a beautiful wooden suggestion box - all suggestions need to include your name and contact number so Friends can follow up. Before the walk comes the talk! If you can help with some morning tea cooking just drop off at the Nurses’ Quarters after 9.30 on the day.

Any questions email Judy, voltairesgarden@bigpond.com.

Friends Committee Vacancy

John Reynolds, through ill health, has resigned from the Friends Committee. Friends thank John for keeping the books in a ship shape manner as well as his efforts, in so many other areas, over the last 10 years. Anyone interesting in joining the Friends committee contact President Eric at ericmyers380@gmail.com. Anyone with social media skills would be warmly welcomed. But such expertise is not necessary. A happy heart and willing hands is the job description - other skills are a bonus!

Community notices

The Bega Valley Seed Savers

The Seed Savers will be holding their second Bendigo Bank sponsored workshop on  27 September in the OBH precinct. If interested, the workshop will show you the best way to Grow Vegies from Seed. Time 10.00am to 12.30pm. For more information on this Workshop contact Toni at tonibolonie@gmail.com.

News from OBH tenants

(Note from Val - I apologise to the tenants I have not been able to contact due to my inability, in a short space of time, to get up to date group emails and current secretaries names – this will be corrected before the next Newsletter!)

Bega Weavers

Bega Weavers and all things fibre are meeting at Bermagui Friday 29 August, at 10.30. Enquiries to Di at begaweavers@gmail.com.

Meeting dates and venues for September: Meeting 10.00 to 1.00; All invited - Come and Try!

The weavers sincerely thank Bendigo Bank for sponsoring their 2 recent workshops. The workshops proved enjoyable and popular. New friendships were created - and new memberships as well.

Spinning wheels will soon be coming up for sale. Any not snapped up by members will be available for community to purchase. Watch this space and keep your creativity working the threads.

Edge FM Community Radio Station

Think about Your Cake with a Story so you are ready to enter the competition happening at OBH’s Spring into Summer Family Fair. Some suggestions to jog your grey matter: a cake recipe from the 1860s or some other crazy year; a cake that won a huge prize when grandma was 16; a cake which was sent to the war; a lamington that fed 200 people; a beloved cake recipe from a nation of origin etc etc. And that’s not the end of cakes! More details to come.

Far South Coast Landcare Association

Jean and her Landcare volunteers held a successful Bendigo Bank sponsored First Aid and CPR Workshop on 15 August, at OBH. Jean reported the OBH was a perfect venue for the workshop and sincerely thanks Bendigo Bank for the grant which enabled the workshop to be held. Photos of Landcare First Aid and CPR workshop attached.

Last but not least, please get the message out that the doors are open at OBH and there are various sized spaces for hire, casual or permanent, at community rates. Interested people only have to email: bookings@obh.org.au.

Thank you for your support and catch you at our OBH Regional Community Cultural Centre.

Val Little (on behalf of Friends of the OBH Regional Community Cultural Centre.)